Paul's Great Eight

By Neil Earle

One of the best things about Christianity is that it doesn't just work for Christians. It crosses all boundaries. It isn't just for the good people but for the lost, the lonely and the lacking from all walks of life, across all time.

As seniors you have seen a lot of life. You've seen a lot of what could be called the phony baloney of life. Lots of people, you well know, can talk a good talk but not walk a good walk. That's what makes me feel good about our congregation when we have so many of you still sticking with us over the years. You know there is something about our church that is real, solid, vital. You sense there is something about Christianity that is like that too.

And why not? After all Christianity was founded by a carpenter (Jesus), quickly grasped by four fishermen, and spread widely by a man who was a humble tentmaker (Paul the apostle). Perhaps that is why Paul, when he listed the eight great virtues in Philippians 4:8, felt free to draw upon the character traits that were highly prized and regarded in the world of his day.

Christianity crosses the boundaries like no other religion, I can hear Paul saying. It represents virtues and qualities any decent-minded man or woman could relate to.

Remember the list of things we are to treasure? They're found in Philippians 4:8.

"Whatever things are true." The word for true in the Greek is close to Alathea – the woman's name Althea is taken from this. It means anything which will never let us down. Think about it. What has it been in your life, something in a person or an experience that has been rock-solid dependable? Paul says that this is a good thing to think about whatever age group you belong to.

"Whatever things are noble." The word noble here refers to anything that inspires lofty, majestic thought. Perhaps there are things in your life right now or something you have remembered that speaks to you of noble things, whether it is the Rocky Mountains or the Empire State Building or a spring day in the great outdoors.

"Whatever things are just." Just refers to a duty faced and carried out or a series of obligations satisfactorily carried out. I know that all of you reading this will be able to look back over your life and take deep down satisfaction in things you have accomplished. Go ahead and do that, Paul advises. That's just the sort of thing we all need to do – pastors, members, seniors – to keep our inner lives moving ahead.

Let's cover more of Paul's Great Eight next time. Till then, God bless,

This sermon was originally a senior's message